Complete Auto Repair & Maintenance in Fort Collins Colorado

10 Tips to Drive Greener

A growing number of people take energy consumption very seriously these days. You might make little changes here and there throughout your day, such as switching off lights when you leave the room, washing clothes in cold water and turning the thermostat up one degree.

You can make many changes at home, but don’t forget about changing the way you drive. If you don’t plan on buying a new car anytime soon, rest assured you can drive greener even if you don’t own a hybrid or electric vehicle. Just follow these tips.

Plan Ahead and Go With Friends

If you have three errands to run this week, do them all at once and plan the route so you travel the fewest number of miles possible. If you can, go with a friend who needs to run errands at the same place. Carpool to work and make arrangements for your kids to ride with teammates to soccer or dance practice.

All of these efforts decrease the number of miles your car drives every week, which saves fuel. You also end up making fewer trips to the store and spending less time chauffeuring your kids around town.

Inflate Your Tires Properly

When your tires are underinflated, extra friction between the rubber and the road lowers fuel efficiency. Check your owner’s manual for what the proper tire pressure should be. Then maintain this level by checking the pressure every time you fill the gas tank.

Check on the Cooling System

If your cooling system isn’t functioning properly, the engine will run at the wrong temperature, which lowers its efficiency. At Scott’s Fort Collins Auto & Repair, we offercooling system service, which involves checking and adjusting the antifreeze, cooling fan, coolant reservoir, pressure cap and thermostat. When these parts work at maximum efficiency, you conserve fuel.

Don’t “Top Off” Your Gas Tank

The nozzle at the gas pump shuts off for a reason! The little extra room left in the tank is an important part of allowing the gas to expand into vapor so the car can run properly. In addition, when you try to pump out a few more drops, you mostly just release harmful vapors. This needlessly pollutes the air and increases what you pay at the pump with very little extra fuel in the tank.

Get an Oil Change

In addition to being a good way to prolong your car’s life, regular oil changes benefit the environment by helping your car run more efficiently. After all, less strain on the engine means fewer pollutants in the air. Here at Scott’s,oil changes are one of our specialties.

Replace the Air Filter

The filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris over time, making your engine work overtime to breathe. Reduce strain on the engine by bringing your car to Scott’s for a filter replacement when you have the oil changed.

Use a Sun Shade

On hot days, park in the shade when you can. If that’s not possible, put up a sun shade under the windshield. This not only improves your personal comfort by lowering the car’s interior temperature, but it reduces the need to run the air conditioner. Since running the A/C consumes more gas and releases more emissions, you benefit the environment by limiting your use of it.

Get Your Car Tuned Up

Your car experiences a lot of wear and tear. Following a regular maintenance schedule keeps it in good working order. Scott’s offerstune ups to help your car run more efficiently and consume less fuel.

Replace Spark Plugs

Your car has four, six or as many as eight spark plugs. Over time, they corrode, which can cause misfires. Every misfire wastes fuel, which can really add up over time. Replacing old spark plugs therefore improves fuel efficiency and reduces your car’s emissions. We can perform this task for you here at Scott’s.

Drive Smarter

Pay attention to the way you drive. Quick starts and sudden stops waste fuel. Tailgating increases the chance you will need to slam on the brakes. Speeding consumes more fuel. Drive smart and you’ll not only benefit the environment, but you’ll keep you and your family safer.

For help implementing these tips, pleaseschedule an appointment online with Scott’s Fort Collins Auto & Repair, call us at (970) 682-4202 or stop in whenever it’s convenient.

Our Commitment

Here at Scott's Fort Collins Auto repair we are dedicated to working with our customers from the Fort Collins, Cheyenne, Greeley, and Loveland, CO areas and helping them keep their cars, trucks and SUV's running in tip top shape! Please contact us if you have any questions.